Seventeen Months Old!

Hello, my darling! You are loads of fun these days, and it is so wonderful to watch your personality develop. You are a full-on toddler now, with all the delights that brings. One minute, you can be unbelievably sweet and funny, and another minute, you'll be yelling in frustration and wrestling away from me. You have been a bit sick the last couple of weeks with a persistent ear infection, but you are still usually a happy girl.


We went to visit Papa in Florida last month, which you loved. You had so much fun at the beach, and you're still talking about the sand, collecting seashells, the airport, and the cool bucket Papa bought you. We've also been attending the tot spot at the park district gym, regular play dates with Sam and Polly, and your beloved music class. You get so excited for music class, you are dancing from the moment we walk through the door, and you talk about it all week.


Your new favorite games seem to be (laundry) basketball, plane/train/bus spotting, playing the "pianino," making phone calls, and doing everything by yourself. You can count to 16, because that is the number of steps in our house, and you can sort of "walk" up them, holding onto the wall for support. You surprised us and others sitting nearby at church the other day by reciting the entire alphabet aloud!


You have quite a few little phrases in your repertoire now, which you have learned to use to indicate what you want (usually food), and charm Daddy and me into giving it to you. Here are some examples:

• Get it, hold that, eat it, etc.
• Want some
• No, Jane! (wants to do it herself)
• Cheers! (you can interrupt dinner anytime with this fun new trick)
• I don't know (who dumped all the stuffed animals on the floor, Daddy)
• Bus! Another bus!
• I'm sorry (I colored on the dining room wall -- can I have my crayons back?)
• Amen, sister!
• Where's Jane? or Where did Jane go?
• Bad dog! (poor Mayday)

You also use intangible words like "cool," "beautiful" and "funny," which I think is pretty awesome. Yeah, you know that one, too. I clearly need to expand my vocabulary! It is just fascinating to watch you pick up language. You are always asking "wassat?" and you seem to remember everything we tell you.


You have noticed that my belly is getting bigger, too. So far you've discovered it's really fun to play with, and I wonder what you think of it. Your book about where polar bear babies come from describes the baby being "warm and cozy" in its mommy's belly, and you have taken to describing my belly as warm and cozy. Still, I think it's far fetched to think you have any idea what's going to happen.

Part of me is sad that the time when it's just the three of us has an expiration date, and part of me is so excited for you to have a sibling. I'm just enjoying every last moment until our happy little world is temporarily upended to welcome your new baby brother or sister. It will be a crazy, joyful ride, I'm sure!

Love,
Mommy